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“Absolutely filthy": Nathan Lyon gutted after Australia picked Neser over him for 2nd Test

Rajgeeta Yadav

Nathan Lyon gutted [Source: AFP]Nathan Lyon gutted [Source: AFP]

Australia's veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon has opened up about how upset he was after being suddenly dropped from the second Test at the Gabba. Lyon, who has been a key part of the national Test team for more than a decade, said he was feeling "absolutely filthy" when he was told he wouldn’t be playing. 

Lyon explained that he arrived at the ground around midday, and just half an hour later he was informed he was out of the team for the match.

Notably, the selectors made two major changes despite Australia winning the first Test in Perth. Michael Neser came in for Lyon, and Josh Inglis replaced the injured Usman Khawaja. With Neser joining Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett and all-rounder Cameron Green, Australia went with a full pace-bowling lineup and no specialist spinner. 

The idea was to take advantage of conditions expected to suit pace bowling, especially with the pink ball used in day-night matches.

Lyon expresses his feeling after getting benched

Speaking to the Seven Network, Lyon didn’t hide how much the decision hurt. He said he was "gutted", and repeated that he was "Absolutely filthy" about being left out. Still, he tried to stay positive, adding, 

"But yeah, can't do anything about it. So, I hope I can play my role in making sure I get the guys ready and do whatever I can to make sure that we get the right result here."

The timing of the decision added to the shock, especially since England had started strongly in the match. Joe Root’s century helped them reach 325 for nine at stumps on day one, making Lyon’s absence even more noticeable to fans.

Lyon admitted he hasn’t yet had a proper conversation with coach Andrew McDonald or chief selector George Bailey. He explained, 

"I just hadn't had it in me to sit down with the coach and George at the moment," though he expects the discussion will happen soon.

This is also not the first time Lyon has been dropped from a pink-ball Test. Earlier in July, he was left out of the day-night match in the West Indies. 

It is important to note that Lyon has been one of Australia’s most reliable bowlers over the years, taking 562 Test wickets, and this is the first time since 2012 that he has missed a home Test. 

In fact, Lyon has taken 43 wickets in just 13 pink-ball Tests, with better statistics in those games than in his overall career.